MRE- Acts 8:18

Acts 8:18 (NKJV)
“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,”

Today's verse is one that is going to lead into a holy confrontation with Simon and Peter. Now remember that Simon was a sorcerer, one who was practicing magic and doing false miracles.

Acts 8:9-10 (NKJV)
“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”

These were most likely demonic manifestations as scripture tells us this can happen.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NKJV)
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Acts 8:13 (NKJV)
“Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”

Because scripture says Simon had been following Philip for some time observing the miracles He was doing by the power of the Holy Spirit has caused many scholars through time to go to one of two sides on this portion of scripture.

1. He was never actually born again and was just following along to see where this power for miracles was coming from so he could inquire how to get it to advance his sorcery
2. He had a genuine conversion, but was either in a very carnal state as he was not yet far enough along understanding how to be led by the Spirit, or he was already in a backslidden state.

Personally after much prayer on this portion of scripture I believe that Simon was indeed born again, but was tempted and deceived at this time, which Peter will address in the coming verses. This story in my opinion actually demonstrates the power of the Gospel. Scripture tells us that Simon had astonished them and they heeded him for a long time. So when the real miracle working power of Jesus Christ was presented it put all of the fake they had been amazed with to open shame! History has shown this to be the case in many areas of the world where ministers of the Gospel will enter an area and the first one the Lord will seek to convict and convert is the witch doctor or the medicine man, and from that the entire people group will come to faith in Jesus.

There is another story in Acts 13 of a sorcerer who did not come to believe and fought those in the faith.

Acts 13:8 (NKJV)
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.”

So if Simon truly had not believed and trusted in what Philip had presented them with would he not have done the same as Elymas?